Elderly victims of domestic abuse are often already isolated by old age, the guidelines warned. Credit: PA

New draft guidance from the CPS warned the stress of caring for an ill partner in later life could also lead to increased domestic violence.

The situation was often exacerbated by mental and physical frailty and isolation brought on by old age.

Director of Public Prosecutions Alison Saunders said: "We know from research conducted by others that there is very little evidence that partner violence decreases with age, and it is important we also recognise the factors that may contribute to and impact upon domestic abuse between older people."

Greater Manchester Chief Constable Sir Peter Fahy says he's disappointed by criticism of the way his force handles domestic violence cases. He points to the high number of arrests and the volume of recorded incidents.

He says they've been involved in a number of ground breaking initiatives to tackle the issue.

Among the forces found to be of serious concern, Bedfordshire had one officer working in its domestic violence unit, and in a case in Greater Manchester, the 13-year-old daughter of a victim was asked to act as a language interpreter for officers investigating allegations against her father.

The "traditional justice system" needs to be updated to help the victims of domestic violence, Lousia Rolfe said. Credit: Daybreak/ITV

The British legal system is not "set up to deal with the complexities" of domestic violence, a senior police officer told Daybreak.

Assistant Chief Constable Louisa Rolfe said officers "worked tirelessly" to protect victims of domestic violence, but legislation had not evolved enough to allow them to properly police the situation.

"It is absolutely right that when we get it wrong that we are held to account and those cases where we get it wrong are well documented but there are many cases where officers work tirelessly to protect victims everyday.

"But it is a difficult challenge for us. Our traditional justice system is not set up to deal with the complexity of these challenges."